St. Louis Cardinals: David Freese Returns to Busch Stadium Tonight

The St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series MVP makes his return to Busch Stadium tonight with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It’s been 921 days since David Freese last set foot in Busch Stadium. The last time Freese was in his hometown park, the St. Louis Cardinals lost Game 5 of the 2013 World Series 3-1 to the Boston Red Sox.

That streak ends tonight when Freese returns to St. Louis, this time as a Bucco instead of a Redbird. The Cardinals and the Pirates start a three-game set tonight, and while the series as a whole is a crucial one in regards to NL Central standings, tonight’s game may be the most “must-watch” of the series because of Freese’s return. I’d venture to say that aside from if or when Albert Pujols makes a return to Busch, Freese’s return may be one of the most anticipated and exciting ones for Cardinals fans to see in a very long time.

I’ve had this game marked on my calendar ever since Freese signed his deal with the Pirates. It is always intriguing to me to see how fans react when a former long-time player returns to their ballpark with another team. Most of the time we can get a good idea of the reaction that will happen. Pujols’ return is one that will be more intriguing because of the fact that he chose to leave for more money. Although, I think most Cardinals fans will be giving Pujols a standing ovation when that day comes, too.

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As for Freese, there is really no doubt at all. The former 2011 World Series MVP will undoubtedly get one of the loudest and longest standing ovations in Cardinals history (if there were such a thing). That, to me, makes this game tonight must-watch baseball. It wouldn’t surprise me if Freese gets a standing ovation each time he comes up to bat. Busch Stadium will be shaking when the third baseman comes to the plate tonight, and Freese deserves every bit of it.

The hometown kid became a legend in 2011 when he hit 5 homers, 8 doubles, 1 triple, and had 21 RBI in 18 games throughout the entire 2011 postseason. Freese went on to win the NLCS and World Series MVPs. He will forever hold a place in the history of Cardinals’ postseason greatest moments and performances.

I’ve been to the Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum at Ballpark Village a couple of times, and every time I visit the Freese and 2011 World Championship section it gives me chills. Up there with Daniel Murphy‘s performance last postseason, Freese’s 2011 postseason performance is one of the greatest ever. Freese deserves every cheer he gets from Cardinals fans tonight, and I’m sure he will relish the moment. I’d imagine the Cardinals will be doing something special before his first plate appearance tonight — most likely a video tribute.

Next: Cardinals: Big Series With Pirates Starts

It is still strange to see Freese in black and yellow instead of red and white. But either way, he’s a Cardinals legend for life.