1996 St. Louis Cardinals season

Major League Baseball season March 2026 November 2013 St. Louis Cardinals 1996 National League Central champions St Louis Cardinals Cap Insignia.svg National League Central Busch Memorial Stadium St. Louis, Missouri 88–74 (.543) 1st William DeWitt, Jr. Walt Jocketty Tony La Russa KPLRPrime Sports Midwest (Al Hrabosky, Bob Carpenter, Joe Buck) KMOX (Jack Buck, Mike Shannon, Joe Buck) The 1996 St. Louis Cardinals season was the Cardinals' 115th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 105th season in the National League. It was Tony La Russa's first season managing the club, after leaving the Oakland Athletics. During the first year of the William DeWitt, Jr. era, the Cardinals went 88–74 during the season and won their first-ever National League Central title by six games over the Houston Astros. They beat the San Diego Padres in the NLDS, but fell in 7 games to the Atlanta Braves in the NLCS after being up 3–1. DeWitt, along with Drew Bauer and Fred Hanser had bought the Cardinals from Anheuser-Busch during the 1995-96 offseason. Offseason October 23, 1995: The Cardinals hire Tony La Russa as team's manager December 23, 1995: Ron Gant was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals December 23, 1995: Andy Benes was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals December 15, 1995: Willie McGee was signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.Willie McGee Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com January 9, 1996: Todd Stottlemyre was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals for Allen Battle, Carl Dale, Jay Witasick, and Bret Wagner (minors). January 11, 1996: Mike Gallego signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals.Mike Gallego Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com February 13, 1996: Dennis Eckersley was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the St. Louis Cardinals for Steve Montgomery. December 18, 1995: Gary Gaetti signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Cardinals. Ozzie Smith's final season Legendary veteran shortstop Ozzie Smith announced during the season that it would be his last season in the Major Leagues, while veteran outfielder Willie McGee, was brought back to the Cards as a free agent. Though the tension between Smith and exciting youngster Royce Clayton, acquired in a trade, grew thick and troublesome at times as they shared time at shortstop, both players had good seasons. McGee came off the bench and started when needed. Regular season Season standings St. Louis Cardinals Record vs. opponents STL Game log St. Louis Cardinals 1996 Game Log: 88–74 (Home: 48–33; Away: 40–41) y St. Louis Cardinals April: 12–15 (Home: 7–8; Away: 5–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 1 || April 1 || @ Mets || 6–7 || Dipoto || Fossas (0–1) || Franco || 42,060 || 0–1 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 2 || April 3 || @ Mets || 5–3 || Stottlemyre (1–0) || Person || Eckersley (1) || 13,323 || 1–1 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 3 || April 4 || @ Mets || 9–10 || Franco || Eckersley (0–1) || — || 15,507 || 1–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 4 || April 5 || @ Braves || 5–4 (14) || Bailey (1–0) || Bielecki || Eckersley (2) || 31,071 || 2–2 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 5 || April 6 || @ Braves || 3–2 (12) || Parrett (1–0) || Clontz || — || 34,649 || 3–2 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 6 || April 7 || @ Braves || 3–13 || Schmidt || Busby (0–1) || — || 28,498 || 3–3 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 7 || April 8 || Expos || 3–4 (10) || Rojas || Parrett (1–1) || — || 52,841 || 3–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 8 || April 10 || Expos || 4–1 || Benes (1–0) || Paniagua || — || 27,734 || 4–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 9 || April 11 || Phillies || 2–1 || Benes (2–0) || Mulholland || Mathews (1) || 23,412 || 5–4 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 10 || April 12 || Phillies || 6–1 || Urbani (1–0) || Williams || — || 26,753 || 6–4 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 11 || April 13 || Phillies || 2–4 || Hunter || Fossas (0–2) || Bottalico || 28,913 || 6–5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 12 || April 14 || Phillies || 6–5 || Mathews (1–0) || Fernandez || Eckersley (3) || 27,545 || 7–5 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 13 || April 15 || Pirates || 6–4 || Benes (3–0) || Ericks || Honeycutt (1) || 18,731 || 8–5 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 14 || April 16 || Pirates || 3–13 || Smith || Benes (3–1) || Lieber || 21,349 || 8–6 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 15 || April 17 || Pirates || 6–1 || Osborne (1–0) || Darwin || — || 23,074 || 9–6 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 16 || April 18 || Pirates || 2–6 || Wagner || Stottlemyre (1–1) || — || 25,700 || 9–7 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 17 || April 19 || @ Phillies || 1–0 || Bailey (2–0) || Springer || Eckersley (4) || 25,614 || 10–7 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 18 || April 20 || @ Phillies || 1–0 || Benes (4–1) || Bottalico || Eckersley (5) || 23,630 || 11–7 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 19 || April 21 || @ Phillies || 2–4 || Grace || Benes (4–2) || Bottalico || 32,896 || 11–8 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 20 || April 22 || @ Expos || 0–8 || Cormier || Osborne (1–1) || — || 9,778 || 11–9 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 21 || April 23 || @ Expos || 11–12 || Scott || Mathews (1–1) || — || 8,352 || 11–10 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 22 || April 24 || Mets || 9–4 || Petkovsek (1–0) || Harnisch || — || 23,189 || 12–10 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 23 || April 25 || Mets || 3–9 || Clark || Benes (4–3) || — || 26,933 || 12–11 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 24 || April 26 || Braves || 1–6 || Avery || Benes (4–4) || — || 34,598 || 12–12 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 25 || April 27 || Braves || 2–7 || Maddux || Osborne (1–2) || — || 20,757 || 12–13 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 26 || April 29 || Braves || 1–4 || Glavine || Stottlemyre (1–2) || Wohlers || 25,452 || 12–14 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 27 || April 30 || @ Cubs || 6–7 || Wendell || Eckersley (0–2) || — || 20,771 || 12–15 |- y St. Louis Cardinals May: 12–14 (Home: 4–6; Away: 8–8) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 28 || May 1 || @ Cubs || 3–9 || Trachsel || Benes (4–5) || — || 25,668 || 12–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 29 || May 3 || @ Padres || 3–1 || Osborne (2–2) || Ashby || Eckersley (6) || 21,335 || 13–16 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 30 || May 4 || @ Padres || 4–3 || Stottlemyre (2–2) || Bergman || Eckersley (7) || 44,375 || 14–16 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 31 || May 5 || @ Padres || 4–10 || Hamilton || Benes (4–6) || — || 27,435 || 14–17 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 32 || May 7 || Giants || 2–4 || Watson || Fossas (0–3) || Beck || 23,492 || 14–18 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 33 || May 8 || Giants || 7–10 || Gardner || Benes (4–7) || Beck || 22,517 || 14–19 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 34 || May 9 || Giants || 16–8 || Parrett (2–1) || Dewey || — || 37,920 || 15–19 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 35 || May 10 || Dodgers || 2–3 (12) || Worrell || Eckersley (0–3) || — || 36,821 || 15–20 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 36 || May 11 || Dodgers || 2–4 || Valdez || Benes (4–8) || Worrell || 38,008 || 15–21 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 37 || May 12 || Dodgers || 6–5 || Petkovsek (2–0) || Nomo || Eckersley (8) || 38,549 || 16–21 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 38 || May 13 || @ Marlins || 2–5 || Burkett || Benes (4–9) || Powell || 19,227 || 16–22 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 39 || May 14 || @ Marlins || 5–11 || Mathews || Parrett (2–2) || — || 16,070 || 16–23 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 40 || May 15 || @ Marlins || 6–0 || Stottlemyre (3–2) || Rapp || — || 18,066 || 17–23 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 41 || May 17 || @ Rockies || 11–12 || Leskanic || Bailey (2–1) || Ruffin || 48,074 || 17–24 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 42 || May 18 || @ Rockies || 8–9 || Habyan || Eckersley (0–4) || — || 48,103 || 17–25 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 43 || May 19 || @ Rockies || 3–10 || Thompson || Benes (4–10) || — || 48,075 || 17–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 44 || May 20 || @ Astros || 5–3 || Osborne (3–2) || Drabek || — || 14,547 || 18–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 45 || May 21 || @ Astros || 8–2 || Stottlemyre (4–2) || Reynolds || — || 17,935 || 19–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 46 || May 22 || @ Astros || 5–2 || Benes (5–10) || Kile || Mathews (2) || 15,353 || 20–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 47 || May 24 || @ Marlins || 4–2 || Morgan (1–0) || Burkett || Mathews (3) || 19,583 || 21–26 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 48 || May 25 || @ Marlins || 5–0 || Benes (6–10) || Rapp || — || 26,312 || 22–26 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 49 || May 26 || @ Marlins || 2–8 (7) || Weathers || Osborne (3–3) || — || 20,573 || 22–27 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 50 || May 27 || Rockies || 2–5 || Ritz || Stottlemyre (4–3) || Ruffin || 38,804 || 22–28 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 51 || May 28 || Rockies || 5–6 || Painter || Mathews (1–2) || Holmes || 26,913 || 22–29 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 52 || May 29 || Rockies || 6–5 || Petkovsek (3–0) || Leskanic || Benes (1) || 27,856 || 23–29 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 53 || May 31 || Astros || 6–4 || Osborne (4–3) || Swindell || Fossas (1) || 37,625 || 24–29 |- y St. Louis Cardinals June: 17–10 (Home: 10–1; Away: 7–9) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 54 || June 1 || Astros || 5–4 (10) || Bailey (3–1) || Hernandez || — || 34,958 || 25–29 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 55 || June 2 || Astros || 2–0 || Stottlemyre (5–3) || Kile || — || 32,703 || 26–29 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 56 || June 3 || @ Padres || 3–0 || Benes (7–10) || Tewksbury || — || 13,625 || 27–29 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 57 || June 4 || @ Padres || 11–5 || Petkovsek (4–0) || Worrell || — || 13,427 || 28–29 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 58 || June 5 || @ Padres || 4–6 || Hoffman || Fossas (0–4) || — || 12,216 || 28–30 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 59 || June 7 || @ Giants || 9–4 || Benes (8–10) || Fernandez || — || 13,009 || 29–30 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 60 || June 8 || @ Giants || 1–4 || DeLucia || Stottlemyre (5–4) || Beck || 20,401 || 29–31 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 61 || June 9 || @ Giants || 0–9 || Watson || Benes (8–11) || — || 24,176 || 29–32 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 62 || June 10 || @ Dodgers || 1–2 || Park || Morgan (1–1) || Osuna || 54,043 || 29–33 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 63 || June 11 || @ Dodgers || 6–3 || Osborne (5–3) || Martinez || Honeycutt (2) || 29,096 || 30–33 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 64 || June 13 || Mets || 1–2 || Person || Benes (8–12) || Henry || 30,697 || 30–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 65 || June 14 || Mets || 13–4 || Stottlemyre (6–4) || Isringhausen || — || 38,556 || 31–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 66 || June 15 || Mets || 4–2 || Benes (9–12) || Jones || Eckersley (9) || 50,635 || 32–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 67 || June 16 || Mets || 5–4 || Petkovsek (5–0) || Henry || Eckersley (10) || 31,375 || 33–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 68 || June 18 || Phillies || 3–2 || Osborne (6–3) || Fernandez || Eckersley (11) || 31,311 || 34–34 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 69 || June 19 || Phillies || 3–2 || Benes (10–12) || Bottalico || — || 34,612 || 35–34 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 70 || June 20 || @ Expos || 3–8 || Rueter || Stottlemyre (6–5) || — || 15,095 || 35–35 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 71 || June 21 || @ Expos || 3–4 (12) || Rojas || Eckersley (0–5) || — || 16,136 || 35–36 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 72 || June 22 || @ Expos || 9–4 || Morgan (2–1) || Urbina || — || 16,895 || 36–36 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 73 || June 23 || @ Expos || 2–3 || Fassero || Osborne (6–4) || Rojas || 22,168 || 36–37 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 74 || June 24 || @ Braves || 9–2 || Benes (11–12) || Smoltz || — || 31,971 || 37–37 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 75 || June 25 || @ Braves || 3–4 || Schmidt || Stottlemyre (6–6) || Wohlers || 30,942 || 37–38 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 76 || June 26 || @ Braves || 11–7 || Benes (12–12) || Avery || — || 31,191 || 38–38 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 77 || June 27 || @ Braves || 0–3 || Maddux || Morgan (2–2) || Wohlers || 32,243 || 38–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 78 || June 28 || Pirates || 6–1 || Osborne (7–4) || Neagle || — || 34,490 || 39–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 79 || June 29 || Pirates || 6–5 || Honeycutt (1–0) || Miceli || — || 34,426 || 40–39 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 80 || June 30 || Pirates || 10–3 || Stottlemyre (7–6) || Smith || — || 38,901 || 41–39 |- y St. Louis Cardinals July: 15–11 (Home: 6–8; Away: 9–3) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 81 || July 1 || Reds || 5–8 || Carrasco || Benes (12–13) || Brantley || 27,221 || 41–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 82 || July 2 || Reds || 4–3 || Honeycutt (2–0) || Smith || Eckersley (12) || 29,074 || 42–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 83 || July 3 || Reds || 4–0 || Osborne (8–4) || Smiley || — || 32,658 || 43–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 84 || July 4 || @ Pirates || 7–1 || Benes (13–13) || Dessens || — || 23,321 || 44–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 85 || July 5 || @ Pirates || 7–4 || Stottlemyre (8–6) || Smith || Fossas (2) || 18,759 || 45–40 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 86 || July 6 || @ Pirates || 9–5 || Benes (14–13) || Darwin || — || 19,144 || 46–40 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 87 || July 7 || @ Pirates || 2–8 || Lieber || Morgan (2–3) || — || 16,255 || 46–41 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 88 || July 11 || @ Cubs || 0–6 || Navarro || Osborne (8–5) || — || 38,802 || 46–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 89 || July 12 || @ Cubs || 13–3 || Benes (15–13) || Trachsel || — || 38,918 || 47–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 90 || July 13 || @ Cubs || 10–5 || Stottlemyre (9–6) || Bullinger || Eckersley (13) || 39,254 || 48–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 91 || July 14 || @ Cubs || 7–6 || Benes (16–13) || Adams || Eckersley (14) || 38,638 || 49–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 92 || July 15 || @ Reds || 8–3 || Morgan (3–3) || Salkeld || — || 38,450 || 50–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 93 || July 16 || @ Reds || 5–4 || Osborne (9–5) || Shaw || Eckersley (15) || 23,370 || 51–42 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 94 || July 17 || @ Reds || 6–4 || Benes (17–13) || Portugal || Eckersley (16) || 28,879 || 52–42 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 95 || July 18 || Cubs || 5–6 || Bottenfield || Petkovsek (5–1) || Wendell || 38,983 || 52–43 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 96 || July 19 || Cubs || 9–1 || Benes (18–13) || Castillo || — || 45,336 || 53–43 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 97 || July 20 || Cubs || 0–3 || Trachsel || Morgan (3–4) || Wendell || 50,418 || 53–44 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 98 || July 21 || Cubs || 6–5 (10) || Petkovsek (6–1) || Wendell || — || 42,257 || 54–44 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 99 || July 22 || Braves || 6–8 || McMichael || Mathews (1–3) || Wohlers || 36,215 || 54–45 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 100 || July 23 || Braves || 2–3 || Smoltz || Stottlemyre (9–7) || Wohlers || 35,520 || 54–46 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 101 || July 24 || Braves || 1–4 || Wade || Benes (18–14) || McMichael || 35,411 || 54–47 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 102 || July 25 || Expos || 2–4 || Urbina || Petkovsek (6–2) || Rojas || 34,271 || 54–48 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 103 || July 26 || Expos || 1–5 || Fassero || Osborne (9–6) || — || 30,048 || 54–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 104 || July 27 || Expos || 6–3 || Benes (19–14) || Dyer || Eckersley (17) || 44,269 || 55–49 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 105 || July 28 || Expos || 6–4 || Petkovsek (7–2) || Martinez || Mathews (4) || 31,226 || 56–49 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 106 || July 30 || @ Phillies || 7–8 || Ryan || Mathews (1–4) || — || 20,166 || 56–50 |- y St. Louis Cardinals August: 15–15 (Home: 10–8; Away: 5–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 107 || August 1 || @ Phillies || 1–2 || Springer || Osborne (9–7) || Ryan || — || 56–51 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 108 || August 1 || @ Phillies || 7–1 || Benes (20–14) || Mimbs || — || 22,934 || 57–51 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 109 || August 2 || @ Mets || 4–3 || Stottlemyre (10–7) || Jones || Honeycutt (3) || 34,091 || 58–51 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 110 || August 3 || @ Mets || 4–5 || Harnisch || Benes (20–15) || Franco || 28,594 || 58–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 111 || August 4 || @ Mets || 4–2 || Morgan (4–4) || Isringhausen || Eckersley (18) || 24,595 || 59–52 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 112 || August 5 || Padres || 8–2 || Benes (21–15) || Tewksbury || — || 28,653 || 60–52 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 113 || August 6 || Padres || 0–1 || Worrell || Osborne (9–8) || Hoffman || 25,782 || 60–53 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 114 || August 7 || Padres || 1–0 || Petkovsek (8–2) || Bochtler || — || 24,823 || 61–53 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 115 || August 8 || Giants || 3–5 (10) || Poole || Honeycutt (2–1) || Beck || 34,844 || 61–54 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 116 || August 9 || Giants || 6–8 || Fernandez || Morgan (4–5) || Beck || 30,118 || 61–55 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 117 || August 10 || Giants || 7–1 || Benes (22–15) || VanLandingham || — || 49,344 || 62–55 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 118 || August 11 || Giants || 5–3 || Osborne (10–8) || Watson || Eckersley (19) || 30,139 || 63–55 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 119 || August 13 || Dodgers || 4–8 || Candiotti || Stottlemyre (10–8) || — || 30,761 || 63–56 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 120 || August 14 || Dodgers || 6–1 || Benes (23–15) || Valdez || — || 26,945 || 64–56 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 121 || August 15 || Dodgers || 2–5 || Nomo || Morgan (4–6) || Worrell || 32,930 || 64–57 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 122 || August 16 || Marlins || 6–2 || Benes (24–15) || Rapp || — || 30,507 || 65–57 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 123 || August 17 || Marlins || 4–3 || Mathews (2–4) || Powell || Eckersley (20) || 30,792 || 66–57 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 124 || August 18 || Marlins || 5–3 || Stottlemyre (11–8) || Leiter || Eckersley (21) || 34,564 || 67–57 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 125 || August 20 || @ Rockies || 4–5 (13) || Munoz || Mathews (2–5) || — || 48,126 || 67–58 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 126 || August 21 || @ Rockies || 2–10 || Reynoso || Benes (24–16) || — || 48,045 || 67–59 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 127 || August 22 || @ Rockies || 5–10 || Bailey || Morgan (4–7) || — || 48,086 || 67–60 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 128 || August 23 || @ Astros || 1–0 || Osborne (11–8) || Kile || Eckersley (22) || 35,554 || 68–60 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 129 || August 24 || @ Astros || 1–3 || Reynolds || Stottlemyre (11–9) || — || 43,258 || 68–61 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 130 || August 25 || @ Astros || 1–4 || Wall || Benes (24–17) || Hernandez || 31,609 || 68–62 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 131 || August 26 || @ Astros || 3–2 || Benes (25–17) || Hampton || Eckersley (23) || 21,624 || 69–62 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 132 || August 27 || Marlins || 3–6 || Hutton || Morgan (4–8) || Nen || 24,784 || 69–63 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 133 || August 28 || Marlins || 2–3 (10) || Hammond || Bailey (3–2) || Nen || 21,767 || 69–64 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 134 || August 29 || Marlins || 9–10 || Leiter || Stottlemyre (11–10) || Nen || 23,105 || 69–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 135 || August 30 || Rockies || 7–4 || Benes (26–17) || Wright || Eckersley (24) || 25,530 || 70–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 136 || August 31 || Rockies || 2–1 || Benes (27–17) || Bailey || Eckersley (25) || 35,804 || 71–65 |- y St. Louis Cardinals September: 17–9 (Home: 11–2; Away: 6–7) # Date Opponent Score Win Loss Save Attendance Record |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 137 || September 1 || Rockies || 15–6 || Petkovsek (9–2) || Rekar || — || 28,552 || 72–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 138 || September 2 || Astros || 8–7 (10) || Benes (28–17) || Brocail || — || 32,955 || 73–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 139 || September 3 || Astros || 12–3 || Stottlemyre (12–10) || Reynolds || — || 23,955 || 74–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 140 || September 4 || Astros || 6–4 || Benes (29–17) || Wall || Eckersley (26) || 34,891 || 75–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 141 || September 6 || Padres || 8–3 || Petkovsek (10–2) || Tewksbury || — || 28,116 || 76–65 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 142 || September 7 || Padres || 8–3 || Osborne (12–8) || Ashby || — || 42,846 || 77–65 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 143 || September 8 || Padres || 4–5 || Valenzuela || Stottlemyre (12–11) || Hoffman || 30,897 || 77–66 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 144 || September 9 || @ Giants || 6–2 || Benes (30–17) || Gardner || — || 10,307 || 78–66 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 145 || September 10 || @ Giants || 1–0 || Petkovsek (11–2) || Rueter || Eckersley (27) || 8,770 || 79–66 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 146 || September 11 || @ Giants || 2–4 || Scott || Benes (30–18) || Beck || 9,673 || 79–67 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 147 || September 12 || @ Dodgers || 1–4 || Nomo || Osborne (12–9) || Osuna || 34,191 || 79–68 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 148 || September 13 || @ Dodgers || 2–0 || Batchelor (1–0) || Guthrie || Eckersley (28) || 36,657 || 80–68 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 149 || September 14 || @ Dodgers || 5–9 || Martinez || Benes (30–19) || — || 44,548 || 80–69 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 150 || September 15 || @ Dodgers || 5–6 || Radinsky || Eckersley (0–6) || Worrell || 35,803 || 80–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 151 || September 17 || Cubs || 5–3 || Osborne (13–9) || Patterson || Mathews (5) || 29,612 || 81–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 152 || September 18 || Cubs || 5–3 || Stottlemyre (13–11) || Trachsel || Eckersley (29) || 32,843 || 82–70 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 153 || September 19 || Cubs || 5–4 (13) || Bailey (4–2) || Campbell || — || 34,923 || 83–70 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 154 || September 20 || @ Reds || 2–4 || Burba || Benes (30–20) || Brantley || 23,496 || 83–71 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 155 || September 22 || @ Reds || 3–6 || Shaw || Mathews (2–6) || Brantley || — || 83–72 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 156 || September 22 || @ Reds || 0–6 || Smiley || Jackson (0–1) || — || 38,225 || 83–73 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 157 || September 23 || @ Reds || 3–2 || Stottlemyre (14–11) || Morgan || Eckersley (30) || 17,313 || 84–73 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 158 || September 24 || @ Pirates || 7–1 || Benes (31–20) || Loaiza || — || 8,611 || 85–73 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 159 || September 25 || @ Pirates || 8–7 (11) || Bailey (5–2) || Miceli || Mathews (6) || 20,022 || 86–73 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 160 || September 27 || Reds || 2–1 (11) || Batchelor (2–0) || Shaw || — || 39,730 || 87–73 |- bgcolor="ccffcc" | 161 || September 28 || Reds || 5–2 || Jackson (1–1) || Morgan || Honeycutt (4) || 52,876 || 88–73 |- bgcolor="ffbbbb" | 162 || September 29 || Reds || 3–6 || Lyons || Ludwick (0–1) || Brantley || 51,379 || 88–74 |- |- | Legend:      #cfc = Win      #fbb = LossBold = Cardinals team member Detailed records National League Opponent W L WP RS Runs scored RA Runs against NL East Atlanta Braves 4 9 4 9 y 47 67 Florida Marlins 6 6 6 6 y 53 53 Montreal Expos 4 8 4 8 y 50 60 New York Mets 7 5 7 5 y 67 55 Philadelphia Phillies 8 4 8 4 y 41 30 Total 29 32 29 32 y 258 265 NL Central Chicago Cubs 8 5 8 5 y 74 61 Cincinnati Reds 8 5 8 5 y 50 49 Houston Astros 11 2 11 2 y 63 38 Pittsburgh Pirates 10 3 10 3 y 79 59 St. Louis Cardinals Total 37 15 37 15 y 266 207 NL West Colorado Rockies 4 8 4 8 y 70 83 Los Angeles Dodgers 4 8 4 8 y 42 50 San Diego Padres 8 4 8 4 y 58 39 San Francisco Giants 6 7 6 7 y 65 62 Total 22 27 22 27 y 235 234 Season Total 88 74 88 74 y 759 706 Month Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against April 27 12 15 12 15 y 108 140 May 26 12 14 12 14 y 132 141 June 27 17 10 17 10 y 133 97 July 26 15 11 15 11 y 138 114 August 30 15 15 15 15 y 117 113 September 26 17 9 17 9 y 131 101 Total 162 88 74 88 74 y 759 706 Games Won Lost Win % RS Runs scored RA Runs against Home 81 48 33 48 33 y 391 326 Away 81 40 41 40 41 y 368 380 Total 162 88 74 88 74 y 759 706 Opening Day starters Luis Alicea Gary Gaetti Ron Gant Ray Lankford John Mabry Willie McGee Pat Borders Ozzie Smith Todd Stottlemyre Roster 1996 St. Louis Cardinals Roster Pitchers 39 Cory Bailey 52 Brian Barber 44 Rich Batchelor 41 Alan Benes 40 Andy Benes 57 Mike Busby 43 Dennis Eckersley 48 Tony Fossas 32 Rick Honeycutt 29 Danny Jackson 54 Eric Ludwick 33 T. J. Mathews 36 Mike Morgan 31 Donovan Osborne 49 Jeff Parrett 46 Mark Petkovsek 30 Todd Stottlemyre 34 Tom Urbani Catchers 38 Pat Borders 49 Mike DiFelice 19 Tom Pagnozzi Infielders 18 Luis Alicea 27 David Bell 11 Royce Clayton  8 Gary Gaetti 22 Mike Gallego 68 Aaron Holbert 47 John Mabry 12 Danny Sheaffer  1 Ozzie Smith 24 Dmitri Young Outfielders 55 Terry Bradshaw  5 Ron Gant  3 Brian Jordan 16 Ray Lankford 51 Willie McGee 35 Miguel Mejia 23 Mark Sweeney Manager 10 Tony La Russa Coaches 18 Dave Duncan (Pitching)  9 Mark DeJohn (Bullpen) 28 Ron Hassey (Bench) 25 George Hendrick (Hitting) 39 Dave McKay (First Base) 15 Tommie Reynolds (Third Base) Player stats Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C Tom Pagnozzi 119 407 110 .270 13 55 1B John Mabry 151 543 161 .297 13 74 2B Luis Alicea 129 380 98 .258 5 42 SS Royce Clayton 129 491 136 .277 6 35 3B Gary Gaetti 141 522 143 .274 23 80 LF Ron Gant 122 419 103 .246 30 82 CF Ray Lankford 149 545 150 .275 21 86 RF Brian Jordan 140 513 159 .310 17 104 Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI Willie McGee 123 309 95 .307 5 41 Ozzie Smith 82 227 64 .282 2 18 Danny Sheaffer 79 198 45 .227 2 20 Mark Sweeney 98 170 45 .265 3 22 David Bell 62 145 31 .214 1 9 Mike Gallego 51 143 30 .210 0 4 Pat Borders 26 69 22 .319 0 4 Dmitri Young 16 29 7 .241 0 2 Miguel Mejia 45 23 2 .087 0 0 Terry Bradshaw 15 21 7 .333 0 3 Mike DiFelice 4 7 2 .286 0 2 Aaron Holbert 1 3 0 .000 0 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Andy Benes 36 230.1 18 10 3.83 160 Todd Stottlemyre 34 223.1 14 11 3.87 194 Donovan Osborne 30 198.2 13 9 3.53 134 Alan Benes 34 191.0 13 10 4.90 131 Mike Morgan 18 103.0 4 8 5.24 55 Mike Busby 1 4.0 0 1 18.00 4 Brian Barber 1 3.0 0 0 15.00 1 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Mark Petkovsek 48 88.2 11 2 3.55 45 Danny Jackson 13 36.1 1 1 4.46 27 Tom Urbani 3 11.2 1 0 7.71 1 Eric Ludwick 6 10.0 0 1 9.00 12 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Dennis Eckersley 63 0 6 30 3.30 49 T.J. Mathews 67 2 6 6 3.01 80 Tony Fossas 65 0 4 2 2.68 36 Rick Honeycutt 61 2 1 4 2.85 30 Cory Bailey 51 5 2 0 3.00 38 Jeff Parrett 33 2 2 0 4.25 42 Rich Batchelor 11 2 0 0 1.20 11 NLDS 1996 National League Division Series St. Louis wins the series, 3-0 GameHomeScoreVisitorScoreDateSeries1St. Louis3San Diego1October 11-0 (STL)2St. Louis5San Diego4October 32-0 (STL)3San Diego5St. Louis7October 53-0 (STL) NLCS 1996 National League Championship Series Game 1 October 9: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta St. Louis STL 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 5 1 Atlanta ATL 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 X 4 9 0 John Smoltz (1-0) Mark Petkovsek (0-1) Mark Wohlers (1) None None Game 2 October 10: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta St. Louis STL 1 0 2 0 0 0 5 0 0 8 11 2 Atlanta ATL 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 5 2 Todd Stottlemyre (1-0) Greg Maddux (0-1) Marquis Grissom (1) Gary Gaetti (1) Game 3 October 12: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri Atlanta ATL 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 8 1 St. Louis STL 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 X 3 7 0 Donovan Osborne (1-0) Tom Glavine (0-1) Dennis Eckersley (1) None Ron Gant 2 (2) Game 4 October 13: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri Atlanta ATL 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 9 1 St. Louis STL 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 X 4 5 0 Dennis Eckersley (1-0) Greg McMichael (0-1) Mark Lemke (1), Ryan Klesko (1) Brian Jordan (1) Game 5 October 14: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri Atlanta ATL 5 2 0 3 1 0 0 1 2 14 22 0 St. Louis STL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 John Smoltz (2-0) Todd Stottlemyre (1-1) Fred McGriff (1), Javy López (1), None Game 6 October 16: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta St. Louis STL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 6 1 Atlanta ATL 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 X 3 7 0 Greg Maddux (1-1) Alan Benes (0-1) Mark Wohlers (2) None None Game 7 October 17: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta St. Louis STL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 Atlanta ATL 6 0 0 4 0 3 2 0 X 15 17 0 Tom Glavine (1-1) Donovan Osborne (1-1) None Javy López (2), Andruw Jones (1), Fred McGriff (2) Awards and honors Tony La Russa, Associated Press Manager of the Year Ozzie Smith, All Star Game Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Louisville Redbirds American Association Joe Pettini AA Arkansas Travelers Texas League Rick Mahler A St. Petersburg Cardinals Florida State League Chris Maloney A Peoria Chiefs Midwest League Roy Silver A-Short Season New Jersey Cardinals New York–Penn League Scott Melvin Rookie Johnson City Cardinals Appalachian League Steve TurcoJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007 References External links 1996 St. Louis Cardinals at Baseball Reference 1996 St. Louis Cardinals team page at www.baseball-almanac.com Category:St. Louis Cardinals seasons Category:National League Central champion seasons Saint Louis Cardinals St Lou