This is part of a larger post on twelve hours in St. Louis (will link when done).
In and out of St. Louis courtesy of Frontier Airlines made for an adventure filled day in St. Louis. At $48.32 round trip, total costs for the plane ticket, it was hard to pass up. The main motivation for the trip was to check out Busch Stadium where the Cardinals were hosting the Diamondbacks (I saw them earlier in the Summer in Milwaukee, as well as the Cardinals on my second visit to Wrigley Field). One of the most enjoyable facets of the Busch Stadium is the walk up to it. I was coming from the Gateway Arch and without seeing the stadium or making use of a maps app, it was easy to follow the crowd of people wearing Cardinals gear. The excitement builds the as you get closer to the stadium, you can hear the music and the ballpark smells of popcorn and hotdogs could lead even the most directionally challenged person to the gates. As most sports venues have figured out, the area around the stadium is valuable real estate that when developed either publicly or privately, adds to the overall value of the game day experience.
Busch Stadium doesn't lack for variety of game day experience options. Beyond the standard VIP Home Plate Club and Club Seats, it seemed to me that every single enhanced (beyond just a seat) enhanced ticket option ever thought up was available. Looking around the seating bowl, all sections and levels seemed to offer a different theme which led to a "neighborhood" feel. Just as one might live "on the north side" at Busch Stadium being "in the ________ club" is a common occurrence. From a Beer Garden in the upper most part of right field, to private suites sold on a seat by seat basis with catering, to the club/seat combo, I opted for the National Car Rental Club, which at first $70 included a seat down the left field line on the second deck, as well an indoor club with view of the field, a full all you can eat buffet made up of brisket, bratwurst, salad bar, and past station. It also includes a full bar, with unlimited beer, wine, and house liquor options. No matter how you value this out ($30 for the seat, $40 for food and drink), this is one of many great options which provide high value to the consumer.
I chose to purchase a ticket in this club as the forecast called for thunderstorms. Knowing that I had a place to go, food to eat, and drinks at the ready incase of a rain delay provided a lot of peace of mind. About 15 minutes before the first pitch, I also purchased a lower level ticket just beyond third base down the left field line at a deep discount on StubHub for a total cost of $9 and some change. Looking back, I probably could have sat there without paying as it was an afternoon weekday game and there seemed to be plenty of seats open. With all of the club options available with seating, there could be an option for the Cardinals to add in-game upgrades, allowing fans for a minimal fee to add a seat in a different section. You could watch the first 6 innings in the club and then the last 3 on the lower level for $5 -$10 depending on the game/seat location etc.
After taking in all of the seating areas, and believe me, there's a lot going on, it was easy to settle in for the game. As a downtown ballpark, I'm always impressed by the serenity the field presents in a bustling city. The Cardinals have done a great job integrating enhanced and preferred seating options, without pricing out fans. As you look around, you can't help but spot people who have come to many games over the years, the more you go, the more you pickup on the stadium pins, vintage hats (from wear), and casual conversation with people they're sitting around. Yadier Molina is the biggest fan-favorite by far and is clearly a hero to the kids. The pre-game crowd huddled down the right field line by the dugout had an average age of 12 and was chanting "Yadi, Yadi, Yadi" non-stop, as the crowd would mimmick with every at bat. It's easy to see why he's a fan favorite, from the way he plays the game to his interaction with the fans. Watching him earlier in the year at Wrigley, and then at Busch Stadium, he has that throwback vibe to the "old-timers" who are just so happy to be playing the game. There's a playfulness about him that comes with the consistent delivery of superior play on the field. He's got the swagger of a hall-of-famer, for all the right reasons!
Overall, an outstanding experience, on one final note, I asked Guest Services if there were any tributes, plaques, momentos relating to Roger Maris in the Stadium. The response was no, followed by an emphatic, "but there should be." I couldn't help but agree. For everything Busch Stadium gets right, and it get's right every where you look, not having a single mention of Roger Maris in the stadium was a tremendous disappointment. If you're going to keep the commercialized "Big Mac Land" subconsciously commemorating Mark McGuire on the second deck of left field, it only seems appropriate that you would honor one of the real role models of the game in Roger Maris. The debate as to whether he should be in the National Baseball Hall of Fame aside, teams traditionally do a great job of honoring those guys who had great years and a significant impact on the team but might fall short of Hall of Fame worthy, to think any less of Roger Maris is wrong and I was very disappointed to find no mention of him within the vast stadium that seeks to honor history. Roger Maris was overlooked in life; sadly he seems to be overlooked in death.
Pictures, Take Me Out to the Ball Game Video below.
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