The

St. Louis Cardinals The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals ha ...

2004 season was the team's 123rd season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 113th season in the

National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team ...

. 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 The National League Central is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was created in 1994, by moving two teams from the National League West (the Cincinnati Reds and the Houston Astros) and three teams from the National League ...

division by 13 games over the NL Wild-Card Champion Houston Astros. In the playoffs the Cardinals defeated the

Los Angeles 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 games to 1 in the

NLDS In Major League Baseball, the National League Division Series (NLDS) determines which two teams from the National League will advance to the National League Championship Series. The Division Series consists of two best-of-five series, featuring e ...

and the Astros 4 games to 3 in the NLCS to reach their first

World Series The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, contested since 1903 between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner of the World ...

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, ...

. In the

the Cardinals faced the

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eigh ...

and were swept 4 games to 0. It was the final World Series played at

Busch Memorial Stadium Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium II, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri, that operated for 40 years, from 1966 through 2005. The stadium served as the home of the St. Louis Cardinals National League ...

. Because the American League had home-field advantage as a result of winning the

All-Star Game An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or d ...

, Busch Memorial Stadium was where the

Curse of the Bambino The Curse of the Bambino was a superstitious sports curse in Major League Baseball (MLB) derived from the 86-year championship drought of the Boston Red Sox between and . The superstition was named after Babe Ruth, colloquially known as " Th ...

died. Catcher

Mike Matheny Michael Scott Matheny (born September 22, 1970) is an American former professional baseball player and former manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for 13 seasons as a catcher ...

, third baseman

Scott Rolen Scott Bruce Rolen (born April 4, 1975) is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds. He was an eight-t ...

, and outfielder

Jim Edmonds James Patrick Edmonds (born June 27, 1970) is an American former professional baseball center fielder and a broadcaster for Bally Sports Midwest. He played for the California/Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, ...

won Gold Gloves 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 In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...

Chris Carpenter. * December 13, 2003: Traded

outfielder An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder. As an outfielder, their duty is to c ...

J. D. Drew and

catcher Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the ( home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the ca ...

Eli Marrero to the

Atlanta 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) East division. The Braves were founded in Bos ...

for pitchers

Jason Marquis Jason Scott Marquis (; born August 21, 1978) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, Ariz ...

, Ray King, and Adam Wainwright. * January 10, 2004: Signed free agent pitcher Alan Benes. * February 12, 2004: Signed free agent John Mabry.

Regular season

Opening Day lineup

Summary

Acquired via trade from the Colorado Rockies on August 6, 2004,

Larry Walker Larry Kenneth Robert Walker (born December 1, 1966) is a Canadian former professional baseball right fielder. During his 17-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he played with the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies, and St. Louis Cardinals. I ...

, 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 The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...

, 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 Yadier Benjamín Molina (; born July 13, 1982), nicknamed "Yadi", is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher who played his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Widely considered one of the grea ...

single.

Season standings

National League Central

Record vs. opponents

Transactions

* August 6: Traded Jason Burch (minors) and players to be named later to the Colorado Rockies for

. The Cardinals sent pitchers Luís Martínez and

Chris Narveson Christopher Gregg Narveson (; born December 20, 1981) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Miami Marlins, and in Nippon Professiona ...

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 The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range and the largest mountain system in North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch in straight-line distance from the northernmost part of western Canada, to New Mexico in ...

, , 13–5 , , , , , , , , , , 5–6 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 12 , , April 17 , ,

, , 8–4 , , , , , , , , , , 6–6 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 13 , , April 18 , ,

, , 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 The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citize ...

, , 3–7 , , , , , , , , , , 10–10 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 21 , , April 28 , ,

, , 3–6 , , , , , , , , , , 10–11 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 22 , , April 29 , ,

, , 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 , , @

, , 6–5 , , , , , , , , , , 14–13 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 28 , , May 5 , , @

, , 4–5 , , , , , , , , , , 14–14 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 29 , , May 6 , , @

, , 7–4 , , , , , , , , , , 15–14 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 30 , , May 7 , , @

Expos The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in t ...

, , 2–4 , , , , , , , , , , 15–15 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 31 , , May 8 , , @

, , 0–2 , , , , , , , , , , 15–16 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 32 , , May 9 , , @

, , 5–2 , , , , , , , , , , 16–16 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 33 , , May 11 , , Braves , , 5–1 , , , , , , , , , , 17–16 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 34 , , May 12 , , Braves , , 5–2 , , , , , , , , , , 18–16 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 35 , , May 13 , , Braves , , 5–6 , , , , , , , , , , 18–17 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 36 , , May 14 , , Marlins , , 6–3 , , , , , , , , , , 19–17 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 37 , , May 15 , , Marlins , , 4–0 , , , , , , , , , , 20–17 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 38 , , May 16 , , Marlins , , 2–3 , , , , , , , , , , 20–18 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 39 , , May 18 , , @

Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...

, , 4–5 , , , , , , , , , , 20–19 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 40 , , May 19 , , @

, , 1–0 , , , , , , , , , , 21–19 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 41 , , May 20 , , @

, , 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 , , 8–11 , , , , , , , , , , 23–22 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 46 , , May 27 , , Pirates , , 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 , , @ Pirates , , 8–3 , , , , , , , , , , 27–23 , - , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 51 , , June 1 , , @ Pirates , , 8–1 , , , , , , , , , , 28–23 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 52 , , June 2 , , @ Pirates , , 5–3 , , , , , , , , , , 29–23 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 53 , , June 3 , , @ Pirates , , 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 , , 12–7 , , , , , , , , , , 35–26 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 62 , , June 12 , , @ Rangers , , 2–7 , , , , , , , , , , 35–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 63 , , June 13 , , @ Rangers , , 13–2 , , , , , , , , , , 36–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 64 , , June 15 , ,

Athletics Athletics may refer to: Sports * Sport of athletics, a collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking ** Track and field, a sub-category of the above sport * Athletics (physical culture), competi ...

, , 8–4 , , , , , , , , , , 37–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 65 , , June 16 , ,

, , 6–2 , , , , , , , , , , 38–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 66 , , June 17 , ,

, , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 39–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 67 , , June 18 , ,

Reds Reds may refer to: General * Red (political adjective), supporters of Communism or socialism * Reds (January Uprising), a faction of the Polish insurrectionists during the January Uprising in 1863 * USSR (or, to a lesser extent, China) during th ...

, , 4–3 , , , , , , , , , , 40–27 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 68 , , June 19 , ,

, , 9–2 , , , , , , , , , , 41–27 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 69 , , June 20 , ,

, , 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 , , 5–2 , , , , , , , , , , 44–29 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 74 , , June 26 , , @ Royals , , 3–1 , , , , , , , , , , 45–29 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 75 , , June 27 , , @ Royals , , 10–3 , , , , , , , , , , 46–29 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 76 , , June 28 , , @ Pirates , , 1–2 , , , , , , , , , , 46–30 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 77 , , June 29 , , @ Pirates , , 0–3 , , , , , , , , , , 46–31 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 78 , , June 30 , , @ Pirates , , 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 , ,

, , 4–1 , , , , , , , , , , 50–32 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 83 , , July 6 , ,

, , 5–3 , , , , , , , , , , 51–32 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 84 , , July 7 , ,

, , 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 , , @

, , 7–2 , , , , , , , , , , 55–33 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 89 , , July 16 , , @

, , 7–5 , , , , , , , , , , 56–33 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 90 , , July 17 , , @

, , 5–7 , , , , , , , , , , 56–34 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 91 , , July 18 , , @

, , 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 A giant is a being of human appearance, sometimes of prodigious size and strength, common in folklore. Giant(s) or The Giant(s) may also refer to: Mythology and religion *Giants (Greek mythology) *Jötunn, a Germanic term often translated as 'gi ...

, , 2–7 , , , , , , , , , , 61–35 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 97 , , July 24 , ,

, , 3–5 , , , , , , , , , , 61–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 98 , , July 25 , ,

, , 6–0 , , , , , , , , , , 62–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 99 , , July 26 , , @

, , 9–6 , , , , , , , , , , 63–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 100 , , July 27 , , @

, , 6–0 , , , , , , , , , , 64–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 101 , , July 28 , , @

, , 11–10 , , , , , , , , , , 65–36 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 102 , , July 30 , , @

, , 7–4 , , , , , , , , , , 66–36 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 103 , , July 31 , , @

, , 7–8 , , , , , , , , , , 66–37 , - , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 104 , , August 1 , , @

, , 6–1 , , , , , , , , , , 67–37 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 105 , , August 3 , ,

, , 6–10 , , , , , , , , , , 67–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 106 , , August 4 , ,

, , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 68–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 107 , , August 5 , ,

, , 2–1 , , , , , , , , , , 69–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 108 , , August 6 , ,

, , 6–4 , , , , , , , , , , 70–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 109 , , August 7 , ,

, , 2–1 , , , , , , , , , , 71–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 110 , , August 8 , ,

, , 6–2 , , , , , , , , , , 72–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 111 , , August 10 , , @ Marlins , , 2–1 , , , , , , , , , , 73–38 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 112 , , August 11 , , @ Marlins , , 1–0 , , , , , , , , , , 74–38 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 113 , , August 12 , , @ Marlins , , 2–8 , , , , , , , , , , 74–39 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 114 , , August 13 , , @ Braves , , 4–1 , , , , , , , , , , 75–39 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 115 , , August 14 , , @ Braves , , 7–9 , , , , , , , , , , 75–40 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 116 , , August 15 , , @ Braves , , 10–4 , , , , , , , , , , 76–40 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 117 , , August 16 , ,

, , 10–5 , , , , , , , , , , 77–40 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 118 , , August 17 , ,

, , 7–2 , , , , , , , , , , 78–40 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 119 , , August 18 , ,

, , 4–5 , , , , , , , , , , 78–41 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 120 , , August 19 , , Pirates , , 2–3 , , , , , , , , , , 78–42 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 121 , , August 20 (1) , , Pirates , , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 79–42 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 122 , , August 20 (2) , , Pirates , , 5–3 , , , , , , , , , , 80–42 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 123 , , August 21 , , Pirates , , 10–6 , , , , , , , , , , 81–42 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 124 , , August 22 , , Pirates , , 11–4 , , , , , , , , , , 82–42 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 125 , , August 24 , , @

, , 3–4 , , , , , , , , , , 82–43 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 126 , , August 25 , , @

, , 6–5 , , , , , , , , , , 83–43 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 127 , , August 26 , , @

, , 0–1 , , , , , , , , , , 83–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 128 , , August 27 , , @ Pirates , , 8–5 , , , , , , , , , , 84–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 129 , , August 28 , , @ Pirates , , 6–4 , , , , , , , , , , 85–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 130 , , August 29 , , @ Pirates , , 4–0 , , , , , , , , , , 86–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 131 , , August 31 , ,

Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL pennan ...

, , 9–3 , , , , , , , , , , 87–44 , - , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 132 , , September 1 , ,

, , 4–2 , , , , , , , , , , 88–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 133 , , September 2 , ,

, , 7–2 , , , , , , , , , , 89–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 134 , , September 3 , , Dodgers , , 3–0 , , , , , , , , , , 90–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 135 , , September 4 , , Dodgers , , 5–1 , , , , , , , , , , 91–44 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 136 , , September 5 , , Dodgers , , 6–5 , , , , , , , , , , 92–44 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 137 , , September 6 , , @

, , 3–7 , , , , , , , , , , 92–45 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 138 , , September 7 , , @

, , 4–2 , , , , , , , , , , 93–45 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 139 , , September 8 , , @

, , 5–10 , , , , , , , , , , 93–46 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 140 , , September 10 , , @ Dodgers , , 6–7 , , , , , , , , , , 93–47 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 141 , , September 11 , , @ Dodgers , , 5–6 , , , , , , , , , , 93–48 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 142 , , September 12 , , @ Dodgers , , 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 , , @

, , 5–4 , , , , , , , , , , 101–52 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 154 , , September 25 , , @

, , 10–6 , , , , , , , , , , 102–52 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 155 , , September 26 , , @

, , 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 , , Dodgers , , 8–3 , , , , , , , , , , 1–0 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 2 , , October 7 , , Dodgers , , 8–3 , , , , , , , , , , 2–0 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 3 , , October 9 , , @ Dodgers , , 0–4 , , , , , , , , , , 2–1 , - bgcolor=#ccffcc , 4 , , October 10 , , @ Dodgers , , 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 The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...

, , 9–11 , , , , , , , , , , 0–1 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 2 , , October 24 , , @

, , 2–6 , , , , , , , , , , 0–2 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 3 , , October 26 , ,

, , 1–4 , , , , , , , , , , 0–3 , - bgcolor=#ffbbbb , 4 , , October 27 , ,

, , 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

versus the Dodgers, 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 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 Nation ...

(NLCS) versus the Houston Astros, Walker was a home run short of hitting for the cycle. 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.

hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 12th to win the game. The next night, Albert Pujols helped St. Louis win Game 7 to clinch the series with a game tying hit.

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 Anthony La Russa Jr. (; born October 4, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player, coach, and manager. His MLB career has spanned from 1963 to 2022, in several roles. He is the former manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland At ...

became the sixth manager to win pennants in both leagues, following Joe McCarthy,

Yogi Berra Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (May 12, 1925 – September 22, 2015) was an American professional baseball catcher who later took on the roles of manager and coach. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) (1946–1963, 1965), all but ...

Alvin Dark Alvin Ralph Dark (January 7, 1922 – November 13, 2014), nicknamed "Blackie" and "The Swamp Fox", was an American professional baseball shortstop and manager. He played fourteen years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston/Milwaukee Bra ...

, 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 George Lee "Sparky" Anderson (February 22, 1934 – November 4, 2010) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) player, coach, and manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third ...

and Dick Williams. La Russa had managed the Oakland Athletics 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 Bicenten ...

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 humanity on Earth, astrophysicist ...

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) and to indicate he was trying to win the team's tenth championship. The Cardinals met a what was a potent

squad fresh off four straight victories over the

Yankees The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one of ...

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. 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 Chris Carpenter, 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 Louis Clark Brock (June 18, 1939September 6, 2020) was an American professional baseball outfielder. He began his 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the 1961 Chicago Cubs but spent most of it as a left fielder for the St. Louis Ca ...

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 Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...

. 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 Manager of the Year may refer to: * Major League Baseball Manager of the Year Award * League Managers Association Manager of the Year * Premier League Manager of the Season The Premier League Manager of the Season is an annual association footba ...

voting.

Gold Gloves

* 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 The ''Sporting News'' is a website and former magazine publication owned by Sporting News Holdings, which is a U.S.-based sports media company formed in December 2020 by a private investor consortium. It was originally established in 1886 as a pr ...

'' and '' Players' Choice Awards''): Chris Carpenter

NLCS MVP

* 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

National League Central champion seasons