1996 St. Louis Cardinals season


The St. Louis Cardinals 1996 season was the team's 115th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 105th season in the National League. 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 division 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. DeWitt, along with Drew Bauer and Fred Hanser had bought the Cardinals from Anheuser-Busch during the 1995-96 offseason.

Offseason

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

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Detailed records




MonthGamesWonLostWin %
April271215108140
May261214132141
June27171013397
July261511138114
August301515117113
September26179131101
Total1628874759706

Opening Day starters

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
PosPlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
PlayerGABHAvg.HRRBI

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGIPWLERASO

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
PlayerGWLSVERASO

NLDS

St. Louis wins the series, 3-0

NLCS

Game 1

October 9: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 2

October 10: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 3

October 12: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Game 4

October 13: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Game 5

October 14: Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri

Game 6

October 16: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Game 7

October 17: Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium in Atlanta

Awards and honors