The St. Louis Cardinals 2004 season was the team's 123rd season in

St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the Greater St. Louis, ...

and the 113th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 105-57 during the season, the most wins of any Cardinals team since

1944 Events Below, the events of World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January * January 2 – WWII: ** Free French General Jean de Lattre de Tassigny is appointed to command French Army B, part of the Sixth United States Army Group in Nor ...

, and the first Cardinal team to win 100 or more games since

1985 The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** The Internet's Domain Name System is created. ** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a ...

, and won the National League Central division by 13 games over the NL Wild-Card Champion

Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...

. In the playoffs the Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 3 games to 1 in the NLDS and the Astros 4 games to 3 in the

NLCS The National League Championship Series (NLCS) is a best-of-seven playoff and one of two League Championship Series comprising the penultimate round of Major League Baseball's (MLB) postseason. It is contested by the winners of the two National ...

to reach their first World Series since

1987 File:1987 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The MS Herald of Free Enterprise capsizes after leaving the Port of Zeebrugge in Belgium, killing 193; Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashes after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, k ...

. In the World Series the Cardinals faced the Boston Red Sox and were swept 4 games to 0. It was the final World Series played at Busch Memorial Stadium. Because the American League had home-field advantage as a result of winning the All-Star Game, Busch Memorial Stadium was where the Curse of the Bambino died. Catcher Mike Matheny, third baseman Scott Rolen, and outfielder Jim Edmonds won

Gold Gloves The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as simply the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in bo ...

this year. The 2004 St. Louis Cardinals were the first team to lose the World Series to a "Moneyball" style team roster on the side of the Red Sox.

Offseason

* December 2, 2003: Signed free agent pitcher

Chris Carpenter Christopher John Carpenter (born April 27, 1975) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals from 1997 to 2012. A Cy Young Award win ...

. * December 13, 2003: Traded outfielder

J. D. Drew David Jonathan "J. D." Drew (born November 20, 1975) is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder. He began his major league career in with the St. Louis Cardinals, and also played for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Bos ...

and catcher

Eli Marrero Elieser Marrero (born November 17, 1973), is a former Major League Baseball player. Marrero started his career as a catcher, but spent time at first base, third base and in the outfield. Playing career Marrero was selected in the third round of ...

to the Atlanta Braves for pitchers Jason Marquis, Ray King, and

Adam Wainwright Adam Parrish Wainwright (born August 30, 1981), nicknamed "Waino" and "Uncle Charlie", is an American professional baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Atlanta Braves selected him 29th overall in the ...

. * January 10, 2004: Signed free agent pitcher

Alan Benes Alan Paul Benes (born January 21, 1972) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball from 1995 to 2003 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. He stood at and weighed . Amateur car ...

. * February 12, 2004: Signed free agent

John Mabry John Steven Mabry (born October 17, 1970) is an American former professional baseball player, broadcaster, and coach. He is a coach for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He had 898 career hits in 3,409 at-bats (for a batting ...

Regular season

Opening Day lineup

Summary

Acquired via trade from the

Colorado Rockies The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The team plays its home baseball games at Coors Fie ...

on August 6, 2004, Larry Walker, customarily the Rockies' number three hitter, became the Cardinals' number two hitter. The Cardinals already had Edmonds, Pujols and Rolen in the 3 through 5 spots. Walker made his Cardinals debut on August 7, playing the New York Mets, and appeared as a pinch-hitter and struck out in the seventh inning. He drew a walk from Mike Stanton in the ninth inning and scored the game-winning run on a Yadier Molina single.

Season standings

National League Central

Record vs. opponents

Transactions

* August 6: Traded Jason Burch (minors) and

players to be named later In Major League Baseball, a player to be named later (PTBNL) is an unnamed player involved in exchange or "trade" of players between teams. The terms of a trade are not finalized until a later date, most often following the conclusion of the seaso ...

to the

for outfielder Larry Walker. The Cardinals sent pitchers Luís Martínez and Chris Narveson on August 11 to the Rockies to complete the trade.

Game log

, - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 1 , , April 5 , , Brewers , , 6–8 , , , , , , , , , , 0–1 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 2 , , April 6 , , Brewers , , 5–7 , , , , , , , , , , 0–2 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 3 , , April 7 , , Brewers , , 9–4 , , , , , , , , , , 1–2 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 4 , , April 8 , , Brewers , , 5–11 , , , , , , , , , , 1–3 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 5 , , April 9 , , @ Dbacks , , 13–6 , , , , , , , , , , 2–3 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 6 , , April 10 , , @ Dbacks , , 10–2 , , , , , , , , , , 3–3 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 7 , , April 11 , , @ Dbacks , , 6–5 , , , , , , , , , , 4–3 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 8 , , April 12 , , Astros , , 5–10 , , , , , , , , , , 4–4 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 9 , , April 13 , , Astros , , 3–5 , , , , , , , , , , 4–5 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 10 , , April 14 , , Astros , , 1–11 , , , , , , , , , , 4–6 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 11 , , April 16 , , Rockies , , 13–5 , , , , , , , , , , 5–6 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 12 , , April 17 , , Rockies , , 8–4 , , , , , , , , , , 6–6 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 13 , , April 18 , , Rockies , , 5–8 , , , , , , , , , , 6–7 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 14 , , April 20 , , @ Astros , , 5–3 , , , , , , , , , , 7–7 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 15 , , April 21 , , @ Astros , , 12–6 , , , , , , , , , , 8–7 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 16 , , April 22 , , @ Astros , , 2–1 , , , , , , , , , , 9–7 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 17 , , April 23 , , @ Brewers , , 1–2 , , , , , , , , , , 9–8 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 18 , , April 24 , , @ Brewers , , 1–3 , , , , , , , , , , 9–9 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 19 , , April 25 , , @ Brewers , , 5–2 , , , , , , , , , , 10–9 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 20 , , April 27 , , Phillies , , 3–7 , , , , , , , , , , 10–10 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 21 , , April 28 , , Phillies , , 3–6 , , , , , , , , , , 10–11 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 22 , , April 29 , , Phillies , , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 11–11 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 23 , , April 30 , , Cubs , , 4–3 , , , , , , , , , , 12–11 , - , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 24 , , May 1 , , Cubs , , 2–4 , , , , , , , , , , 12–12 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 25 , , May 2 , , Cubs , , 1–0 , , , , , , , , , , 13–12 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 26 , , May 3 , , Cubs , , 3–7 , , , , , , , , , , 13–13 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 27 , , May 4 , , @ Phillies , , 6–5 , , , , , , , , , , 14–13 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 28 , , May 5 , , @ Phillies , , 4–5 , , , , , , , , , , 14–14 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 29 , , May 6 , , @ Phillies , , 7–4 , , , , , , , , , , 15–14 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 30 , , May 7 , , @ Expos , , 2–4 , , , , , , , , , , 15–15 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 31 , , May 8 , , @ Expos , , 0–2 , , , , , , , , , , 15–16 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 32 , , May 9 , , @ Expos , , 5–2 , , , , , , , , , , 16–16 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 33 , , May 11 , ,

Braves The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...

, , 5–1 , , , , , , , , , , 17–16 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 34 , , May 12 , ,

, , 5–2 , , , , , , , , , , 18–16 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 35 , , May 13 , ,

, , 5–6 , , , , , , , , , , 18–17 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 36 , , May 14 , ,

Marlins The marlin is a large billfish sometimes also known as the ''spearfish.'' Marlin may also refer to: Places *Marlín, Castile-Leon, a village in Spain *Marlin, Texas, city in Falls County, Texas, United States Sports *Cincinnati Marlins, a swim t ...

, , 6–3 , , , , , , , , , , 19–17 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 37 , , May 15 , ,

, , 4–0 , , , , , , , , , , 20–17 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 38 , , May 16 , ,

, , 2–3 , , , , , , , , , , 20–18 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 39 , , May 18 , , @ Mets , , 4–5 , , , , , , , , , , 20–19 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 40 , , May 19 , , @ Mets , , 1–0 , , , , , , , , , , 21–19 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 41 , , May 20 , , @ Mets , , 11–4 , , , , , , , , , , 22–19 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 42 , , May 21 , , @ Cubs , , 7–6 , , , , , , , , , , 23–19 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 43 , , May 22 , , @ Cubs , , 1–7 , , , , , , , , , , 23–20 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 44 , , May 23 , , @ Cubs , , 3–4 , , , , , , , , , , 23–21 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 45 , , May 26 , ,

Pirates Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal violence by ship or boat-borne attackers upon another ship or a coastal area, typically with the goal of stealing cargo and other valuable goods. Those who conduct acts of piracy are called pirates, v ...

, , 8–11 , , , , , , , , , , 23–22 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 46 , , May 27 , ,

, , 6–3 , , , , , , , , , , 24–22 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 47 , , May 28 , , @ Astros , , 2–1 , , , , , , , , , , 25–22 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 48 , , May 29 , , @ Astros , , 10–3 , , , , , , , , , , 26–22 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 49 , , May 30 , , @ Astros , , 1–7 , , , , , , , , , , 26–23 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 50 , , May 31 , , @

, , 8–3 , , , , , , , , , , 27–23 , - , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 51 , , June 1 , , @

, , 8–1 , , , , , , , , , , 28–23 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 52 , , June 2 , , @

, , 5–3 , , , , , , , , , , 29–23 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 53 , , June 3 , , @

, , 4–2 , , , , , , , , , , 30–23 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 54 , , June 4 , , Astros , , 5–3 , , , , , , , , , , 31–23 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 55 , , June 5 , , Astros , , 10–4 , , , , , , , , , , 32–23 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 56 , , June 6 , , Astros , , 2–3 , , , , , , , , , , 32–24 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 57 , , June 7 , , @ Cubs , , 4–3 , , , , , , , , , , 33–24 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 58 , , June 8 , , @ Cubs , , 3–7 , , , , , , , , , , 33–25 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 59 , , June 9 , , @ Cubs , , 12–4 , , , , , , , , , , 34–25 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 60 , , June 10 , , @ Cubs , , 3–12 , , , , , , , , , , 34–26 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 61 , , June 11 , , @

Rangers A Ranger is typically someone in a military/paramilitary or law enforcement role specializing in patrolling a given territory, called “ranging”. The term most often refers to: * Park ranger or forest ranger, a person charged with protecting and ...

, , 12–7 , , , , , , , , , , 35–26 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 62 , , June 12 , , @

, , 2–7 , , , , , , , , , , 35–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 63 , , June 13 , , @

, , 13–2 , , , , , , , , , , 36–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 64 , , June 15 , , Athletics , , 8–4 , , , , , , , , , , 37–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 65 , , June 16 , , Athletics , , 6–2 , , , , , , , , , , 38–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 66 , , June 17 , , Athletics , , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 39–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 67 , , June 18 , , Reds , , 4–3 , , , , , , , , , , 40–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 68 , , June 19 , , Reds , , 9–2 , , , , , , , , , , 41–27 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 69 , , June 20 , , Reds , , 0–6 , , , , , , , , , , 41–28 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 70 , , June 22 , , Cubs , , 4–5 , , , , , , , , , , 41–29 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 71 , , June 23 , , Cubs , , 10–9 , , , , , , , , , , 42–29 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 72 , , June 24 , , Cubs , , 4–0 , , , , , , , , , , 43–29 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 73 , , June 25 , , @

Royals Royals may refer to: Entertainment * The Royals (band), a Jamaican reggae vocal group * The Royals, original name of The Midnighters * "Royals" (song), a 2013 single by Lorde * ''The Royals'' (TV series), a 2015 E! network drama series * ''The ...

, , 5–2 , , , , , , , , , , 44–29 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 74 , , June 26 , , @

, , 3–1 , , , , , , , , , , 45–29 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 75 , , June 27 , , @

, , 10–3 , , , , , , , , , , 46–29 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 76 , , June 28 , , @

, , 1–2 , , , , , , , , , , 46–30 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 77 , , June 29 , , @

, , 0–3 , , , , , , , , , , 46–31 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 78 , , June 30 , , @

, , 5–6 , , , , , , , , , , 46–32 , - , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 79 , , July 2 , , Mariners , , 11–2 , , , , , , , , , , 47–32 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 80 , , July 3 , , Mariners , , 8–1 , , , , , , , , , , 48–32 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 81 , , July 4 , , Mariners , , 2–1 , , , , , , , , , , 49–32 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 82 , , July 5 , , Reds , , 4–1 , , , , , , , , , , 50–32 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 83 , , July 6 , , Reds , , 5–3 , , , , , , , , , , 51–32 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 84 , , July 7 , , Reds , , 4–2 , , , , , , , , , , 52–32 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 85 , , July 9 , , Cubs , , 6–1 , , , , , , , , , , 53–32 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 86 , , July 10 , , Cubs , , 5–2 , , , , , , , , , , 54–32 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 87 , , July 11 , , Cubs , , 4–8 , , , , , , , , , , 54–33 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 88 , , July 15 , , @ Reds , , 7–2 , , , , , , , , , , 55–33 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 89 , , July 16 , , @ Reds , , 7–5 , , , , , , , , , , 56–33 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 90 , , July 17 , , @ Reds , , 5–7 , , , , , , , , , , 56–34 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 91 , , July 18 , , @ Reds , , 10–4 , , , , , , , , , , 57–34 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 92 , , July 19 , , @ Cubs , , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 58–34 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 93 , , July 20 , , @ Cubs , , 11–8 , , , , , , , , , , 59–34 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 94 , , July 21 , , Brewers , , 1–0 , , , , , , , , , , 60–34 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 95 , , July 22 , , Brewers , , 4–0 , , , , , , , , , , 61–34 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 96 , , July 23 , , Giants , , 2–7 , , , , , , , , , , 61–35 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 97 , , July 24 , , Giants , , 3–5 , , , , , , , , , , 61–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 98 , , July 25 , , Giants , , 6–0 , , , , , , , , , , 62–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 99 , , July 26 , , @ Reds , , 9–6 , , , , , , , , , , 63–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 100 , , July 27 , , @ Reds , , 6–0 , , , , , , , , , , 64–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 101 , , July 28 , , @ Reds , , 11–10 , , , , , , , , , , 65–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 102 , , July 30 , , @ Giants , , 7–4 , , , , , , , , , , 66–36 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 103 , , July 31 , , @ Giants , , 7–8 , , , , , , , , , , 66–37 , - , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 104 , , August 1 , , @ Giants , , 6–1 , , , , , , , , , , 67–37 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 105 , , August 3 , , Expos , , 6–10 , , , , , , , , , , 67–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 106 , , August 4 , , Expos , , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 68–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 107 , , August 5 , , Expos , , 2–1 , , , , , , , , , , 69–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 108 , , August 6 , , Mets , , 6–4 , , , , , , , , , , 70–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 109 , , August 7 , , Mets , , 2–1 , , , , , , , , , , 71–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 110 , , August 8 , , Mets , , 6–2 , , , , , , , , , , 72–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 111 , , August 10 , , @

, , 2–1 , , , , , , , , , , 73–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 112 , , August 11 , , @

, , 1–0 , , , , , , , , , , 74–38 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 113 , , August 12 , , @

, , 2–8 , , , , , , , , , , 74–39 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 114 , , August 13 , , @

, , 4–1 , , , , , , , , , , 75–39 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 115 , , August 14 , , @

, , 7–9 , , , , , , , , , , 75–40 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 116 , , August 15 , , @

, , 10–4 , , , , , , , , , , 76–40 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 117 , , August 16 , , Reds , , 10–5 , , , , , , , , , , 77–40 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 118 , , August 17 , , Reds , , 7–2 , , , , , , , , , , 78–40 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 119 , , August 18 , , Reds , , 4–5 , , , , , , , , , , 78–41 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 120 , , August 19 , ,

, , 2–3 , , , , , , , , , , 78–42 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 121 , , August 20 (1) , ,

, , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 79–42 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 122 , , August 20 (2) , ,

, , 5–3 , , , , , , , , , , 80–42 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 123 , , August 21 , ,

, , 10–6 , , , , , , , , , , 81–42 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 124 , , August 22 , ,

, , 11–4 , , , , , , , , , , 82–42 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 125 , , August 24 , , @ Reds , , 3–4 , , , , , , , , , , 82–43 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 126 , , August 25 , , @ Reds , , 6–5 , , , , , , , , , , 83–43 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 127 , , August 26 , , @ Reds , , 0–1 , , , , , , , , , , 83–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 128 , , August 27 , , @

, , 8–5 , , , , , , , , , , 84–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 129 , , August 28 , , @

, , 6–4 , , , , , , , , , , 85–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 130 , , August 29 , , @

, , 4–0 , , , , , , , , , , 86–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 131 , , August 31 , , Padres , , 9–3 , , , , , , , , , , 87–44 , - , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 132 , , September 1 , , Padres , , 4–2 , , , , , , , , , , 88–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 133 , , September 2 , , Padres , , 7–2 , , , , , , , , , , 89–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 134 , , September 3 , ,

Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...

, , 3–0 , , , , , , , , , , 90–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 135 , , September 4 , ,

, , 5–1 , , , , , , , , , , 91–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 136 , , September 5 , ,

, , 6–5 , , , , , , , , , , 92–44 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 137 , , September 6 , , @ Padres , , 3–7 , , , , , , , , , , 92–45 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 138 , , September 7 , , @ Padres , , 4–2 , , , , , , , , , , 93–45 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 139 , , September 8 , , @ Padres , , 5–10 , , , , , , , , , , 93–46 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 140 , , September 10 , , @

, , 6–7 , , , , , , , , , , 93–47 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 141 , , September 11 , , @

, , 5–6 , , , , , , , , , , 93–48 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 142 , , September 12 , , @

, , 7–6 , , , , , , , , , , 94–48 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 143 , , September 14 , , Astros , , 5–7 , , , , , , , , , , 94–49 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 144 , , September 15 , , Astros , , 4–2 , , , , , , , , , , 95–49 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 145 , , September 16 , , Astros , , 3–8 , , , , , , , , , , 95–50 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 146 , , September 17 , , Dbacks , , 4–3 , , , , , , , , , , 96–50 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 147 , , September 18 , , Dbacks , , 7–0 , , , , , , , , , , 97–50 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 148 , , September 19 , , Dbacks , , 2–3 , , , , , , , , , , 97–51 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 149 , , September 20 , , @ Brewers , , 7–4 , , , , , , , , , , 98–51 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 150 , , September 21 , , @ Brewers , , 4–6 , , , , , , , , , , 98–52 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 151 , , September 22 , , @ Brewers , , 3–2 , , , , , , , , , , 99–52 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 152 , , September 23 , , @ Brewers , , 4–2 , , , , , , , , , , 100–52 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 153 , , September 24 , , @ Rockies , , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 101–52 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 154 , , September 25 , , @ Rockies , , 10–6 , , , , , , , , , , 102–52 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 155 , , September 26 , , @ Rockies , , 9–3 , , , , , , , , , , 103–52 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 156 , , September 27 , , @ Astros , , 3–10 , , , , , , , , , , 103–53 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 157 , , September 28 , , @ Astros , , 1–2 , , , , , , , , , , 103–54 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 158 , , September 29 , , @ Astros , , 4–6 , , , , , , , , , , 103–55 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 159 , , September 30 , , Brewers , , 6–7 , , , , , , , , , , 103–56 , - , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 160 , , October 1 , , Brewers , , 4–1 , , , , , , , , , , 104–56 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 161 , , October 2 , , Brewers , , 1–5 , , , , , , , , , , 104–57 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 162 , , October 3 , , Brewers , , 9–4 , , , , , , , , , , 105–57 , -

Postseason Game Log

, - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 1 , , October 5 , ,

, , 8–3 , , , , , , , , , , 1–0 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 2 , , October 7 , ,

, , 8–3 , , , , , , , , , , 2–0 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 3 , , October 9 , , @

, , 0–4 , , , , , , , , , , 2–1 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 4 , , October 10 , , @

, , 6–2 , , , , , , , , , , 3–1 , - , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 1 , , October 13 , , Astros , , 10–7 , , , , , , , , , , 1–0 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 2 , , October 14 , , Astros , , 6–4 , , , , , , , , , , 2–0 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 3 , , October 16 , , @ Astros , , 2–5 , , , , , , , , , , 2–1 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 4 , , October 17 , , @ Astros , , 5–6 , , , , , , , , , , 2–2 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 5 , , October 18 , , @ Astros , , 0–3 , , , , , , , , , , 2–3 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 6 , , October 20 , , Astros , , 6–4 , , , , , , , , , , 3–3 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 7 , , October 21 , , Astros , , 5–2 , , , , , , , , , , 4–3 , - , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 1 , , October 23 , , @ Red Sox , , 9–11 , , , , , , , , , , 0–1 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 2 , , October 24 , , @ Red Sox , , 2–6 , , , , , , , , , , 0–2 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 3 , , October 26 , , Red Sox , , 1–4 , , , , , , , , , , 0–3 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 4 , , October 27 , , Red Sox , , 0–3 , , , , , , , , , , 0–4 , -

Roster

Player stats

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''

Other batters

''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Pitching

Starting pitchers

''Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''

Other pitchers

''Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''

Relief pitchers

''Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts''

NLDS

In three playoff rounds in 2004, Walker combined to hit .293/.379/.707 with a pair of home runs in each tournament, setting a franchise record for home runs hit by a left-handed batter in one postseason. Walker made his playoff debut with the Cardinals in Game 1 of the NLDS versus the

, homering twice and scoring four runs in an 8−3 Cardinals win. He became the first Cardinal with a multi-home run game in LDS play.

St. Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

St. Louis wins series, 3-1

NLCS

In Game of the 1 National League Championship Series (NLCS) versus the

, Walker was a home run short of

hitting for the cycle In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter who hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are rare in Major League Ba ...

. The Cardinals proceeded to take a 2–0 Series lead before losing three straight in Houston. Returning home for Game 6, the Cardinals took a 4–3 lead into the ninth inning, but Houston tied it up. Jim Edmonds hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 12th to win the game. The next night,

Albert Pujols José Alberto Pujols Alcántara () (); born January 16, 1980) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball first baseman, designated hitter and third baseman who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed "The Machine", ...

helped St. Louis win Game 7 to clinch the series with a game tying hit. Scott Rolen brought him home on a two-run home run. Pujols was named the series MVP.

World Series

When the Cardinals reached the World Series, Tony La Russa became the sixth manager to win pennants in both leagues, following

Joe McCarthy Joseph Raymond McCarthy (November 14, 1908 – May 2, 1957) was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957. Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most vis ...

, Yogi Berra, Alvin Dark, and the managers in the

1984 World Series The 1984 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1984 season. The 81st edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Detroit Tigers and the Nationa ...

, Sparky Anderson and

Dick Williams Richard Hirschfeld Williams (May 7, 1929 – July 7, 2011) was an American left fielder, third baseman, manager, coach and front-office consultant in Major League Baseball. Known especially as a hard-driving, sharp-tongued manager from 1967 to 1 ...

. La Russa had managed the

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...

to three straight pennants between

1988 File:1988 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The oil platform Piper Alpha explodes and collapses in the North Sea, killing 165 workers; The USS Vincennes (CG-49) mistakenly shoots down Iran Air Flight 655; Australia celebrates its Australian ...

and

1990 File:1990 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: The 1990 FIFA World Cup is played in Italy; The Human Genome Project is launched; Voyager I takes the famous Pale Blue Dot image- speaking on the fragility of Humankind, humanity on Earth, Astroph ...

and winning the

1989 World Series The 1989 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 1989 season. The 86th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the American League (AL) champion Oakland Athletics and the Nat ...

. La Russa would try to join Anderson as the only men to have managed teams to World Series championships in both leagues. La Russa wore number 10 in tribute to Anderson (who wore 10 while manager of the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...

) and to indicate he was trying to win the team's tenth championship. The Cardinals met a what was a potent Red Sox squad fresh off four straight victories over the Yankees following an 0–3 deficit in the ALCS. A comeback in this fashion in any North American major sports league had previously occurred only in the

NHL The National Hockey League (NHL; french: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH, ) is a professional ice hockey league in North America comprising 32 teams—25 in the United States and 7 in Canada. It is considered to be the top ranked professional ...

. This was the third time the two teams have faced each other in the Fall Classic, with the Cardinals winning the previous two in and . The Cardinals were again without a key player for the World Series: ace pitcher

, who, after going 15–5, tweaked his shoulder in September and missed the entire post-season. Making his World Series debut in Game 1, Walker collected four hits in five at bats with a home run and two doubles. His four-hit outing tied a Cardinals World Series record, becoming the seventh overall and first to so since Lou Brock in

1967 Events January * January 1 – Canada begins a year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of Confederation, featuring the Expo 67 World's Fair. * January 5 ** Spain and Romania sign an agreement in Paris, establishing full consular and ...

, also against Boston. The Cardinals were swept by the Red Sox in four games and struggled to hit, never taking a lead at any point in the series. Pujols, Rolen, and Edmonds, the normally fearsome 3-4-5 hitters for the Cardinals, were 6-for-45 with one RBI. The club batted .190 with a .562 OPS overall. Walker was one of very few exceptions, batting .357 with a 1.366 OPS. His two home runs accounted for the only two hit by the entire Cardinals team. In the 2004 postseason, Walker scored 21 percent (14 of 68) of Cardinals runs scored.

Awards and honors

* Pujols, Rolen, and Edmonds finished third, fourth and fifth in the MVP voting, eliciting the nickname ''MV3''. * La Russa finished second in the NL Manager of the Year voting.

Gold Gloves The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as simply the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in bo ...

* C: Mike Matheny * 3B: Scott Rolen * OF: Jim Edmonds

Silver Sluggers

* 1B: Albert Pujols * OF: Jim Edmonds

NL Comeback Player of the Year

* ('' The Sporting News'' and '' Players' Choice Awards''):

NLCS MVP The League Championship Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players deemed to have the most impact on their teams' performances in each of the two respective League Championship Series that ...

* Albert Pujols

Farm system

''Baseball America 2005 Annual Directory''

References

External links

2004 St. Louis Cardinals at Baseball Reference2004 St. Louis Cardinals team page at www.baseball-almanac.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:2004 St. Louis Cardinals Season National League champion seasons St. Louis Cardinals seasons St. Louis Cardinals National League Central champion seasons St. Louis Cardinals