St. Louis Cardinals: The decade’s 12 most memorable moments

The 2010s were full of memories for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals, and these 12 moments shine vividly in my mind.

The 2010s decade for the St. Louis Cardinals was one of euphoric highs and despondent lows, providing a roller coaster of emotions unique to the magical sport of baseball. The team’s extraordinary run to the World Series in 2011 and the lukewarm years in the middle of the decade showed how teams’ fortunes can wax and wane.

But although the Cardinals had a bit of a rough patch in the middle of the 2010s, 10 years in baseball can be an eternity, and most teams rise and fall during the span of a decade. The Cardinals have stayed remarkably consistent in that time when compared to other teams. As the team changed, with trades and signings and releases and firings, the Cardinals were able to keep their heads above water even in their worst years.

What also remained consistent were the memories the team provided on and occasionally off the field. The Cardinals have a storied history, and the last 10 years have contributed even more to the massive book of Cardinals lore.

Right now, with COVID-19 pushing baseball back, and with money disagreements potentially indicating an eventual players’ strike, one only has the past to look at. Television sports networks such as ESPN have been airing repeats of games and historic moments ad nauseam, and if you’re a Cardinals fan, you’ve likely seen at least of few of the moments in this list.

These 12 moments, ranked from my least to most memorable, are what I will remember when I think of the 2010s decade. They are emblematic of the joys and pains of being a baseball fan, and in this difficult time in sports, we should remember those emotions and savor them while we can.