The St. Louis Cardinals: The 100th Anniversary History

Rains, who covers the National League for USA Today Baseball Weekly and is a St. Louis, Mo., radio sports commentator, here presents a workmanlike history of the team that has won the most World Series--nine--of any club in its league. It all began in 1881 when saloon owner Chris Von Der Ahe established the Cardinals in order to peddle more beer. The club has a particularly rich history, featuring stars like Rogersok?/sp.correct.gs Hornsby in the '20s, the Gas House Gang and Dizzy Dean in the '30s, Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Ozzie Smith in later years. Also figuring in the narrative are general manager Branch Rickey, whose farm system helped build a dynasty, and manager Whitey Herzog, who converted a collection of prima donnas into winners. There are many fine photos. (May)