St. Louis Cardinals: Memphis Redbirds champions update

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 07: Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the 4th inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 7, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 07: Matt Carpenter #13 of the St. Louis Cardinals is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the 4th inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 7, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Cardinals’ AAA-affiliate team, the Memphis Redbirds, division champs in the PCL, boast the highest win totals in franchise history and have announced incentives for fans to attend playoff games.

The St. Louis Cardinals organization is surely pleased with its AAA team in Memphis as they are the Pacific Coast League’s American Southern Division Champions! This means that the playoffs are coming to the bluff city in September.

The Memphis Redbirds, in addition to earning the division title, have also recorded the greatest number of wins in franchise history. This feat was previously held by the 2000 Memphis Redbirds who won 83 games.

The 2017 Redbirds eclipsed the 2000 Redbirds on a day when the actual sun was eclipsed. Behind the offensive prowess of Patrick Wisdom and the defensive mound prowess of Jack Flaherty, the Memphis Redbirds secured their 84th win on Monday, August 21, 2017 with a score of 5-1 over the New Orleans Baby Cakes.

The St. Louis Cardinals farm team has been on an absolute tear and Monday’s victory now gives the 2017 team a record of 84-45– the best in minor league baseball.

In the win over New Orleans, Wisdom (who has been called up by the St. Louis Cardinals in past Septembers) blasted his 29th home run on the season. Not to be outdone, Flaherty tossed seven innings of one-run Redbirds baseball. Joining the hit parade on the day were Breyvic Valera who also hit a home run (and finished 3-for-5 on the day), and Aledmys Diaz also recorded two doubles.

According to the official Redbirds press release, Wisdom sits a mere one home run away from moving up the leader board of home run hitters in Redbirds franchise history. His 29th home run today ties him at 7th overall with Mike Coolbaugh who played for the Redbirds in 2002. With a few games remaining before the playoffs, Wisdom could well see himself climb those rankings.

In addition to the great news out of Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Champion AAA team announced the start of the sale of single-game, playoff tickets. The playoffs are set to begin on Wednesday, September 6 and Thursday, September 7.

Should the Redbirds win, AutoZone Park will host the Championship round on Tuesday, September 12 and Wednesday, September 13.

To entice fans to attend (despite the fact that tickets cost a mere $9), the Redbirds are offering the first 5,000 fans in attendance at the first round a free baseball cap with the new Memphis logo. Even more enticing for baseball fans is the fact that AutoZone Park will host $2 beers throughout the playoffs.

I know I’m planning on attending and may even partake in the special $20 dugout tickets that will allow me the opportunity to choose one of the fan-favorite give-away items. These include:

More from St Louis Cardinals Prospects

–       Retro Stubby Clapp Bobblehead

St. Louis Cardinals Final Out Dual Bobblehead

–       Stephen Piscotty Bobblehead

2006 Cardinals World Series Trophy

1946 Cardinals World Series Ring

Stubby Clapp Half-and-Half Replica Jersey

Redbirds New-Logo Performance T-Shirt

Redbirds Record Sleeve

Tickets valued at $17 and higher will include access to a $4 all-you-can-eat buffet. The offerings will include:

–       Wednesday, Sept. 6: burgers and hot dogs

–       Thursday, Sept. 7: wings and hot dogs

–       Tuesday, Sept. 12: burgers and hot dogs

–       Wednesday, Sept. 13: tacos and hot dogs

Playoff tickets can be purchased on the Memphis Redbirds web page, by phone at (901) 721-6000, or at the ticket booths at AutoZone Park.

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I encourage all St. Louis Cardinals fans who are remotely close to come to this outstanding park and to take advantage of the opportunity to cheer on the future Cardinals! Go Redbirds!